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Here's the Scoop: February 6, 2013

Things are looking Shark®
As a general rule, I don’t put a lot of stock in items that are primarily sold via “cheesy” television ads or infomercials. You know, the type where there’s some over-caffeinated spokesperson practically yelling in glee about the greatness of the product being hawked. So good, in fact, that you can now get two of product XYZ for only $19.95.

Well, all that has changed now that we have a Shark Portable Steam Pocket® in our possession. You read that right, we are the owners of a Shark®. The bad news is, it cost more than $19.95. Or, maybe that’s the good news?

Being a naturally cynical sort, I never thought the Shark® could live up to the very excited claims being hollered about on TV. I was wrong. The Shark®’s bite on grease and grime is every bit as advertised. And then some.

I was a little tentative about using this equipment, at first. Maybe it was because I don’t like cleaning. But, that wasn’t the entire problem. The Shark® comes with plenty of warnings about possible damages from the steam-producing device. I was worried about the kind of havoc I might wreak if left unchecked with the Shark®.

A sea of cleaning power
For those of you who may not have seen the Shark® in action, it’s a relatively small device. Much like a Chia Pet, you add some water and stand back. As opposed to the Chia Pet, which sprouts green stuff, it’s the Shark’s® job to remove green stuff and other things that aren’t supposed to be in a particular location. In my opinion, the Shark® is much more useful than a Chia Pet — as beautiful as these animals appear.

Now that we have the Shark®, my desire to clean stuff has greatly increased. Pretty much every surface in the house is fair game for the Shark®. Even if you think something is clean, it isn’t. The Shark® reveals grease, grime and dirt that’s not viewable to the naked eye.

Dirt can’t escape
Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting into those “hard-to-reach places.” The Shark® comes equipped with 10 attachments, including a “microfiber wedge pocket.” I haven’t used this one yet, but I can’t wait. I just need to figure out its intended purpose. The only thing I know for sure is that when the Shark® circles, the area will be picked clean.

Unlike real sharks, this one leaves no bloody trail and you needn’t worry about staring into its frightening, vacant eyes. Although, I must admit that the cleaning process is a bit more exciting if one puts on the “Jaws” soundtrack when guiding the Shark® into action.
In reality, the Shark® is not a threat to people at all — dirt and germs are the only things that needs to fear this piece of super cleaning equipment.

Last, but not least, the Shark® can be used as a garment steamer. For owners of shark skin suits, this has to be especially good news.
— Brian Sweeney